New Study Reveals Brain Games Enhance Canine Cognition
As a caring dog parent, you pour your heart into giving your furry companion the best life. Walks? Check. Healthy food? Check. Vet care? Double-check. Yet, there's this one thing that is often overlooked.
It's exercising your dog's brain. This is something that is often underestimated, perhaps because a great emphasis is always placed on ensuring dogs receive daily exercise. "A tired dog is a good dog," goes the popular saying.
Dogs Were Bred to Perform Physically and Mentally Enriching Tasks
Well, of course, this makes perfect sense. It's even written in the pawprints of history if we look back at how dogs were fine-tuned over generations to excel at certain tasks. Take a glance at what most dog breeds were selectively bred for and you'll be quick to notice that dogs are working animals at heart.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that these dogs thrive when they are provided with physical exercise. Yet, this emphasis on physical exercise is what often causes a dog's need for mental stimulation to be put on the backburner. What about that powerhouse sitting atop the body? Doesn't it need some exercise too?
Your dog's brain is an amazing organ. Harvard University, which is tapping into the exciting field of canine neuroscience, claims that the average doggy brain is made up of about 2.2 billion cells called neurons. While your dog's brain is ultimately an organ, what's curious about it is that it behaves more like a muscle -- use it or lose it!
Advantages of Brain Games
When life gets dull, canines can't just sigh, yawn, and grab the remote -- they are forced to invent their own entertainment. What's unfortunate is that their forms of entertainment often involve undesirable behaviors, such as excessive licking, chewing, barking, pacing, and attempting to escape the yard.
Research tells us that a barren environment is the culprit behind many undesirable behaviors pet parents face today, but the good news is that brain games are the hero of this tale.
In a nutshell, when we enrich our dogs' lives with environmental stimulation and entertainment, the perks are many. These include reduced stress, improved relaxation, sharper minds, better cognitive functioning, and reduced barking.
16 Fun Brain Games for Dogs
Brain games can be played with dogs of all ages, although the approach might vary slightly depending on their life stage. Some games require some level of training. Start by making the game easy, and then once your dog has got the hang of it, you can gradually increase the challenge.
Make safety your top priority. Always supervise your dog during brain games to prevent injury, and make sure any toys or puzzles are dog-safe and appropriate for your dog's size and chewing habits.
Store-Bought "Food Puzzles"
Food puzzles consist of toys that require your dog to actively work to release the food. There are many food puzzles on the market today, including wobbling food puzzles, hollow food puzzles, puzzle boards, foraging mats, and lick mats.
DIY Food Puzzles
You don't necessarily need to purchase food puzzles. There are many DIY food puzzle ideas that can work just as well in keeping your dog happy and entertained. Examples include the muffin tin puzzle, towel roll puzzle, cup shuffle puzzle, and various searching games.
Training Games
Who said that training a dog can't be fun? Ensuring your dog enjoys the training process is crucial, as it helps to keep him happily engaged and willing to participate. Trick training, shaping exercises, and target training are great ways to keep your dog's brain sharp.
The Benefits of Exercising Your Dog's Brain
As we've seen, brain games are like mental workouts for dogs. The best part? There are numerous perks that come along with keeping your dog's brain in good shape, including lowered chances for behavior problems, decreased stress, better cognitive health, increased bonding, and increased confidence.
In conclusion, incorporating brain games into your dog's routine can lead to a happier, healthier, and more engaged pet.